Empty Nest
Sponsored section ►►PAGE 20
Electronic cigs’ vaporized?
Forsyth E-cigarette users face bans in public areas ►►PAGE 6
Good sign JC City Council updates sign ordinance ►►PAGE 8
Newton Park Ampitheater Has debut concert Saturday night ►►PAGE 10
June 26, 2014 | northfulton.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 26
FULTON COUNTY BUDGET:
Fulton takes step closer to tax hike Commissioners vow to revisit 17 percent increase
37 Main ready to rock the Creek The White brothers, from left, Joe, David and John, have a successful formula for their club: Good food, cool drinks and rock ‘n’ roll. See story, page 26. HATCHER HURD/STAFF
Gas main break halts traffic at Old Alabama and Haynes Bridge No westbound traffic on Old Alabama
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Workers digging outside the Chartwell subdivision at the intersection of Old Alabama Road and Haynes Bridge Road struck a gas main around 1:30 p.m. Monday closing traffic west-
See LEAK, Page 15
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
A Johns Creek firefighter mans the fire hydrant as high-pressure natural gas escapes (brown smoke) at the Chartwell subdivision entrance.
BARRINGTON HALL & TOWN SQUARE
THE FEDERAL OCCUPATION OF
JULY 12 & 13, 2014
A SESQUICENTENNIAL
LIVING
ROSWELL HISTORY
EVENT
By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com ATLANTA – Fulton County voted at the June 18 commission meeting to advertise a 1.57 mill property tax increase in the general fund. But stung by taxpayers’ sticker shock over the proposed 17 percent increase on their tax bill, Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves said the commissioners would respond. He vowed to take a sharper pencil to the 2014-15 budget of $625.4 million. Eaves said he planned to call a special called work session to re-examine the budget. He pointed out that advertising the millage increase did not hold the county to passing that increase. It does cap the millage rate at the 1.57 mill increase, but a lower rate may pass. Fulton Finance Director Patrick O’Connor said the millage rate is necessary for the county to meet its obligations. “Without [the millage increase] we would be in a credit crisis,” O’Connor said. The board voted to advertise the new countywide millage rate of 12.051 mills
HAUSMANN
EAVES
in a 5-2 vote (Commissioners Liz Hausmann and Robb Pitts dissenting). This advertisement means the county may increase the general fund millage rate by no more than the 1.57 mills advertised. The board may reduce the rate increase if it chooses at the July 16 board meeting when the final millage rate is set. However, that would require either serious cuts or finding untapped revenues. The commissioners are faced with a $48 million shortfall in this year’s budget and the proposed 1.57 mill increase would generate an estimated $51.8 million. And that includes a $40 million infusion from the county’s fund balance. The county has regularly tapped into its reserves of $150 million since 2008 to balance the budget. This last dip will leave the county below the recommended minimum reserve of 8.33 percent of its annual budget at a little over 7 percent.
See TAXES, Page 4
WWW.SOUTHERNTRILOGY.COM/FEDERAL OCCUPATION • Outdoor events free • Historic Home tour $5 per person
Special Weeken d Event